Home

About the AOH

Division History/
Background

Division Calendar

Membership

Current Officers

Newsletter Page

Newsletter
Archive

Photo Album

Contact Us

(start the audio system {which will be cued to the song "The Parting Glass" from the "Waking Ned Devine" CD. This song has 2 minutes and 12 seconds of music prior to the song.)

To the right is a table. A table set for our brother. One who is no longer among us. Whose memory remains a part of us. (Two attendants [Marshall and Sentinel] should be flanking the table, next to the table should be the division charter on a stand with a black cloth for draping. The attendant to the right of the table should point to the various articles as the Narrator speaks about them, at a designated time this attendant will extinguish the candle flame).

The tablecloth, black - denoting our mourning the loss of our friend(s) and comrade(s).

On this cloth are three small flags, representing our Irish American Catholic heritage and culture that was so much a part of their lives and ours.

A sash and sword to remind us that these men were leaders and warriors in their causes.

An overturned glass and plate; to remind us that they are here simply in spirit and can no longer partake of the simple earthly pleasures of comradeship that we take for granted.

On the plate are slices of lemon, to remind us of the bittersweet battles in life. Between the lemons is a small mound of salt signifying the tears shed by them during their life's battles and by us at their loss.

Roses signifying the simple beauty and elegance that were their lives. The colors indicate our relationships with those whom we honor here today. Yellow representing a relationship bounded in the true meaning of friendship in our order. Red denoting love, a love of friends, church, heritage and a common cause. A love sparked by unity. White signifying purity. Purity of heart, mind and spirit that by its simple existence fosters true Christian Charity. Roses would always be the preferred flower and the flowers should always be fresh, I recommend that you have 3 silk roses as standbys.

One of the most powerful symbols on the table, the lit candle itself. The candle is often used to represent a new beginning, as in Baptism and Marriage. The flame is frequently used to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit, in dark times of our lives it is this light that leads us, beckons us and comforts us. Yet this small flame also represents our human lives, capable of warmth, of guidance. Strong enough to engulf everything in it's path, but frail and unknown as to it's time of existence. For at a time not of our choosing, but of His, in a twinkling of an eye (extinguish flame), we too shall stand in His presence and be joined with our departed friends and loved ones. May we take this time to remember the fragility of human life and to rededicate ourselves to those principles of Unity, Friendship and True Christian Charity that we hold dear. That those before us lived to so well.

(The two attendees step forward and drape the charter. Once done, they step back, salute [brings right hand to breast, bow head slightly], turn to the board president, and salute again. Upon his acknowledgement they assist in passing out the toasting cups. Cups should be both alcohol and non alcohol out of deference to individual member tastes. All members should hold their cups till the song has ended and toast the departed.)

Let us raise our spirits to the sky. Raise them to our friends who have gone before us. God bless you all. May we be forever in your debt. Slainte.

This concludes our ceremony, thank you for your attendance.

Table Set Up

" Black tablecloth
" Plate, inverted at rear of table
" Knife and fork aside the plate
" Green linen napkin
" A slice or two of lemon on the plate
" A small mound of salt on the plate next to or between the lemon
" An inverted drinking glass
" A candle, lit in a holder, placed near the center and in front so that it can be easily seen as the attendant extinguishes the flame.
" A rose(s) in a small vase holder. Although it is preferred to use all fresh roses, silk roses should be on readily on hand in the event that fresh roses cannot be procured in time. Depending on the circumstances, a red rose signifies love, white signifies purity and yellow signifies friendship. If you are doing the ceremony for more than one member, each should be represented by a simple calling card with their name on it in the front section of the table. If the ceremony is for more than one person, the calling cards should be placed in order of seniority with the senior members to the right.
" A sash laid out across the front of the table, with a sword laying across the sash. The sash should have the shoulder part on the right hand side and the sword should have the hilt on the right hand side.
" In front of the plate, slightly forward of the glass should be a small tri-flag stand with the US, Irish and Papal flags, the US to the right, the Irish to the left and the Papal in the center.
" If available, a picture of the deceased in a subdued frame with a small black ribbon affixed to the the left hand side of the frame is appropriate.

The music that suits this ceremony the best is "The Parting Glass". Using the movie soundtrack CD from "Waking Ned Devine" the last song on the CD gives you 2 minutes and 12 seconds to speak prior to getting into the song.